STUDY OF THE ROLE OF THE SEAGRASS POSIDONIA-AUSTRALIS IN THE CARBON BUDGET OF AN ESTUARY

The budget and fate of organic carbon from the leaves of the seagrass Posidonia australis Hooker f. were studied in a small sunken river valley in Port Hacking, New South Wales. Standing stock and leaf growth were measured over 12-month periods. Estimated average relative leaf growth was 2.3 mgC g dry wt.-1 day-1. Estimated losses totalled 2.6 mgC g dry wt.-1 day-1 of which 48% was in the form of dissolved organic carbon, while grazing by herbivores (3%), leaves floating off (12%) and sinking leaves (37%) accounted for the remainder of the carbonaceous material lost from the seagrass leaves. © 1979.